Do You Do Politics?

Something happens to me every four years, right about now. I start to care about the presidential elections.

I start to get passionate and close in on who I want to win my party’s nomination. I watch closely what the candidates say. I check in on what analysts say and what polls say. I watch the debates then read the articles following the debates. I tune in to happenings in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.

I pray.

I come from a political family. My parents are both Democrats, with deep roots to the leaders and programs that shaped the party. Here, an excerpt my father wrote about his mother captures the way a particular time and circumstance can create loyalty toward a party:

She was a strong Democrat and loved to get involved in politics. Her greatest political triumph came in 1932 when Franklin Roosevelt won the election over President Hoover. She had supported Roosevelt and had actively campaigned for him…

…Sometime around 1936 (or maybe late 1935), Magdalena got a break in life that lessened her burden for the first time. The federal government under President Roosevelt started a work project for the economically disadvantaged women and she was eligible to participate. This project, known informally as “la costura” or the sewing, was similar to the WPA except that it was for women alone caring for a family. Magdalena was selected to head the project for our community and we were very proud of her.

So all of a sudden the front room in our house, or what we called our living room, was transformed into a mini-factory full of sewing machines and bolts of cloth all around. The women had to furnish their own sewing machines (a necessary appliance that every household had) which were kept at our house. The women reported to work for eight hours a day on weekdays and produced childrens’ clothing, blankets and other items urgently needed which were then shipped out for distribution to the needy.

Following family tradition, I become an activist during political campaigns. In 2004, I worked in my precinct, registering voters and getting out the vote. But writing about politics — especially when yours is not a political blog — is tricky.

I write about my kids, animals, Jim, the weather, holidays, quirks, writing. I don’t write with an aim to convince anyone to come around to my way of thinking. And I don’t write to debate the goodness or not of my views.

Yet, so goes politics.One time in early November for my dad’s birthday party, which my Republican sister held at her house, her Republican husband went on and on about how much he loved Rush Limbaugh. My dad boycotted Thanksgiving at that same sister’s house that year.

We have a policy to not talk politics at our family gatherings. We’re all passionate. Things end badly when we disagree.

So, it is with some trepidation that I now proclaim, being as how I’m obsessed with interested in politics these days, that I plan to write every now and then about the national elections. I might make fun of Mitt Romney’s hair (wouldn’t he be perfect for a Grecian Formula commercial?) or the bags under the eyes of that old Republican dude. (No, not McCain. The other old dude.)

I wouldn’t be surprised, either, if I start seeing on other writing-slash-personal blogs more posts about the elections. In fact, if you’re so inclined, you should write about politics, too. That way I know I won’t be the only one doing it.

Here. To get you started, write for 15 minutes on this prompt: “When we talk politics in my family, this is what happens.”

Good luck. And may the best candidate win.Oh, and in case you’re wondering…Barack rocks my socks. My parents are for Hillary, and it dawned on me yesterday that at 82, Mom won’t have many other chances to see a woman president. I could live with Hillary, too. Or Edwards. I like all three. And Richardson (oh fair New Mexico) as the veep. I‘d be am a happy Democrat!

99 Responses

I love your collection of buttons, ybonesy! I was on Amazon a few days ago looking for a Carter/Mondale pin I want. However, I’m not ready to pay $8+ shipping yet.

I put in a request this year at Thanksgiving that we not talk about politics, religion, or women’s rights. As in your family, people have extremely opposing viewpoints…it makes for a very “not fun” holiday. Two of the people who are on the other side of the fence from me are given to fits of screaming and berating. It gets ugly fast. We got through Thanksgiving this year peacefully, and played board games for two hours afterwards.

When I watched the clips today of speeches made in New Hampshire, the emotional swings of the candidates was astounding. Up in Iowa, scraping the bottom in New Hampshire. It takes some steel to run for office. I wonder, has there ever been a president who has been an introvert? It seems impossible. An introvert would collapse after one state.

I usually don’t spend much time watching the primaries. This year is different. I am deeply concerned about what happens. My vote goes to Edwards.

The more I talk about familial politics with friends, the more I learn that many families just can’t do it. They/we end up like your family. Locked in ugly debate that no one can win. And no minds get changed.

And the same is true of the national scene. Canvassing last election year — 2004 — hit home for me how hard it is to bring anyone around to your side. That’s why these independents are so important. They are, apparently, the only ones open to crossing lines. (BTW, I’ve refrained from voting for a Democrat when corruption or other value issues are involved. And when I first registered to vote, I was Independent. But then I couldn’t vote in our NM primaries.)

I like Edwards a lot. He truly puts his money where his mouth is relative to the corporate lobbyists.

And yes, it takes so much willpower, strength, intenstinal fortitude to run. I also am touched, though, when a candidate shows that real, vulnerable side. They’re people, too.

I have never registered as a member of any party, but I do lean quite to the left. My husband, also not registered, leans right-ish. We just don’t talk about politics much, outside of corruption-type scandals, and that works for us. Sometimes we vote for the people, often not.
As a college student, I represented myself as local campus press and attended the caucuses in Iowa. It was all very exciting, with what seemed like just normal folks, ie. not politicians, gathered in a gymnasium to decide who should be the representative for the party and what the key platform issues should be.
Until the end of the evening, when it all went bad for me. It turned out a handful of people waited until everyone else filed out of the place, and then changed the platform issues to what they wanted. They simply held a re-vote and voted their own issues in. I was aghast. I protested. They offered to hold another vote, but I didn’t see the point, it being me against them.
I called the local campus paper and told them what I had seen. They had seen it too. Every four years.
Well, that’s politics. It’s not for the naive.

Ah, a mixed marriage (smile). One of my Democrat sisters is married to a Republican, and they have a great marriage. I think they also don’t talk politics.

Yes, truly delving into party politics — that can be eye-opening, I imagine. I tend to only get involved once the race is in full swing, all candidate decisions made, etc. And this year I am going to guard my time relative to any involvement outside of voting. It can be so consuming, and crushing. Last presidential election, I had a 3-day crying jag post the elections.

ybonesy, I was right there with you with the tears after the last election. I love the old buttons. They really take you back, don’t they? The reference to your grandmother is touching. It drives home how personal politics are. We are each impacted in different ways. There is no blanket “right” candidate.

I don’t remember our family talking about politics at all. And now that I think about it, I don’t know much about our poitical history as a family. But when I was going through some of my old life boxes a few months ago, I found something that referenced the 1960’s Barry Goldwater campaign. It must have been 1964 against Lyndon Johnson. He lost by a landslide. I was pretty young and we lived in the South. The fight for Civil Rights was in full swing then and it was a hot button in many campaigns.

And speaking of Civil Rights, I watched a History Channel documentary (with Julian Bond) on the KKK last weekend and, I have to say, I was astounded at the political clout that the KKK wielded in decades past. In one long shot, the area between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial (which in my memory’s Vision is filled with supporters for Martin Luther King) was once filled with the white sheets of KKK members who hated anyone not like themselves, including the Jewish and gay communities.

I watched another documentary last week on Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears. Politics, land, civil rights. So what I’m driving at is that, for me, politics in this country are still strongly connected to civil and individual rights (which include issues of poverty, healthcare, the homeless, all at crisis levels). Yet I don’t think any of the candidates are coming anywhere near addressing these issues in their campaigns.

There was also a time when women were second-class citizens in this country. It wasn’t that long ago. (And look at the way the media is tearing apart Hillary after she showed a human emotion yesterday. Has anything really changed?) Even in the 60’s and 70’s, women were treated as “less than” in government, politics, sports, as wage earners. in corporations, in many high paying occupations. I think women a lot younger than me, who didn’t grow up having to fight for equal rights, don’t understand or choose to forget all of this.

Recently at a dinner discussion on Christmas Day, 5 of us were talking about whether we’d support Hillary or Barack. I was leaning toward Hillary but still pretty open. She’s had to harden up to play ball with the boys. I was looking to see vulnerability. I saw it yesterday. It was a great relief. She knows what the real issues are; as a woman, she’s got to play hardball. Or she won’t win.

Barack says all the right things. He’s got the passion and fire of a newby. But he’s not saying how he’s going to accomplish these things. He’s too green for me. I’m looking for experience. Women are naturally relational, raise most of our children, and know how the bigger picture will impact future generations.

No conclusions yet. But I am leaning a certain way – Hillary. Though I was very political in the 70’s and early 80’s, I’d make a terrible politician. I currently have no desire to convince anyone that my way is the right way. I’m not interested in heated debate. But I am interested in dialogue.

It’s my opinion that anyone who votes in this country should go back and watch documentaries about the way things were in the past – watch films about Civil Rights, human rights, women’s rights, the Cold War, settlement of the American West, the Depression, FDR. Eleanor, Kennedy – then form your opinion of who you want to support today. I vote from the heart. I support others voting from their hearts as well.

Sinclair, it’s an interesting question about “introvert” and “extrovert” as they relate to running for President. I wonder if Jimmy Carter was an introvert though? He strikes me as one. It would make for a good study. Politics, power, psychology. Carter was such a humanist.

bloomgal, good personal story about your time in the Iowa caucus. It kind of sounds like there were (are) little pockets of lobbyists there, hanging around and waiting to make their move. It seems like in this country, everyone tries to push the “rules” governing Fair Politics to the absolute limit they can without getting caught or breaking a law. I guess Nixon didn’t quite squeak by. I was in high school during Watergate. It was on TV every single day. An amazing time to be watching politics.

I am finding these mixed political marriages fascinating. I’ve never experienced that kind of division in my relationships. It seems llike the values between the parties are so different. I wonder how people do it (?). Except as bloomgal says, to simply not engage in political discussion. Hmmm.

Hey, MM, you made it back home. What happened to you during the week after Christmas? I left you a few email messages to come by!

Ya, you two are mixed in more ways than one. (smile)

QM, I wonder if Democrat/Republican unions work when the individuals in the pair are both moderate. I kind of think that’s how it is in my sister’s case. I mean, she’s pretty liberal, but she’s not usually zealous. And she’s not an activist, nor is he. Their shared values are around family, and their Catholic faith. (Church is tricky with respect to politics — yet they manage to make it work.)

I know in my case, it would never work. Much as I have friends of different political ilks, my marriage could never survive if my husband were not liberal. I can’t not talk about politics, and I can’t be not passionate in this area.

yb, that could be. It makes sense that they might have to both be Moderates. I don’t mix church and politics. They stay very separate for me. My faith isn’t political. But I know there are many who vote that way. It is amazing that your sister makes all of that work. I bet it helps teach the family about compromise. And respect for other people’s views.

The documentaries sound good, QM. Do you have the History channel? Just curious what they came across on — or was it PBS? (Or rentals?)

You might have noticed if you had a chance to read the writing practices that came in this morning that I, too, am disgusted by the media’s playing of Hillary’s emotional moment. Give me a break. Working in a man’s world, as I do, I get so sick of the expectation that women act just like men in order to get ahead. Where does that get any of us?

WOW, YB, I found your post to be quite interesting & very brave! I also come from a very political family. My father did the same things you mention, about working the precincts, registering voters & bringing out the votes. He started a Club for Democrats in Western PA in the early 70’s. His ill health caused him to give up presiding over the club. I am not even sure if it still exists or was completely disbanded. Both of my parents are very dedicated to the Democratic party. As a young Democrat I was invited to go to many fund raisers with their club members. As a result of attending the fund raisers I am proud to say that I met John Murtha very early in his career & my father was a big supporter of his. I know that Dad still receives a Holiday card from him every year. I have voted every year since the age of 18. But I would like to add that I rarely discuss politics because of the arguements that ensue. I was raised to vote for whomever I believed was the best candidate, whether they were a Democrat, Republican, or Independant. However, J & I are both registered Democrats & will occasionally discuss politics with our best friends. As a married couple they do not share the same politcal ideas as J & I do. We sometimes argue & then laugh it off. We all know that if everyone you surround yourself with shares the same values & views as you, the friendship would be boring! What would you talk about?
I also have quite a few political buttons & today I plan on looking for them as I haven’t seen them since our move 7 years ago!
This year I lean toward Hillary. I agree with many of QM’s remarks re: her. But, our primary is several months away, so who knows who I will have the opportunity to vote for? D

diddy, I had no idea that politics were that much a part of your family history. Fascinating. And also your comments about your couple friends. Hey, can you elaborate more on who John Murtha is in relationship to the views your family have about him?

We were raised to vote for whomever we felt was the best candidate as well. I don’t remember my parents ever telling us to vote a certain way because of what they believed in. I’m grateful for that.

BTW, diddy, I’ve got a photograph from Jim to send to you via email. I just haven’t had a moment to send it! Maybe after dinner.

ybonesy, I hadn’t read that article. That’s an excellent link on the issues facing women running for President of this country. Particularly why people are so accepting of Obama’s differences and defenses of everything he has overcome to get to where he is – but those same people do not give Hillary Clinton the same credit or respect. Everyone should read it.

I love the “what worries me” sections at the end. I’m completely aligned with the writer. And her arguments about why the sex barrier is not taken as seriously as the racial one. And why women are the one group that grows more radical with age. It’s the kind of writing that (even if you don’t agree with it) wakes you up.

Heather, who IS Pedro? I think I’ve seen the Vote for Pedro references here and there. Did you start this trend 8) ??

diddy, cool about your family traditions relative to politics. Hearing that you, too, tend to avoid political conversations, I wonder if those of us who were brought up on a strong dose of politics and a strong leaning toward a particular party feel somewhat vulnerable in publicly expressing those views. I know I am very open politically with my friends and parents versus my more reserved/diplomatic self when I’m among coworkers.

The other thing I wanted to say was, election years such as this current one tend to charge the atmosphere relative to politics. There is, naturally, a heightened awareness and a heightened for many. While I want to see and experience that emotion, I just don’t have the stomach I once had for the fighting.

ybonesy, I know what you mean. I don’t have the stomach for the fight anymore either. But I do like to be a kind of memory of things past. Maybe that’s the writer in me. I want people to remember and make informed decisions. The present moment is not an isolated bubble. We have built on the structures of the past. And not all of them were pretty.

BTW, I think work environments are best served with diplomacy. Politics and religion don’t bode well at work. It’s not always the best policy to reveal too much. Goes double if you work with or manage other people.

You know, I think my mother is more herself the older she gets, too. It delights me. It seems like many women have spent so much time in their lives taking care of everyone else. I’m a big advocate of women letting go in their later years. Living life more for themselves.

I’m heartened that this country is excited about the elections. We can’t afford to be complacent. What really matters is that people get out and vote for whomever they believe in.

yb, I only wish I had thought of Pedro. I can’t believe someone as cool as you hasn’t seen “Napoleon Dynamite”! Pedro is one of the characters in this off beat movie. He runs for class President. It is a very dumb-as-a-fox/funny/innocent movie that not everyone gets. You, my good woman, would…

I wish, ybonesy, I could develop an interest in politics. Outside of loathing right-wingers and world conflicts, the whole process doesn’t interest me in the least. Am I typical? Maybe I am able to see two side of every coin and because of this am a lackluster debater.

It does seem like I know of a handful of people who are completely engaged, and then many many others who are tuned out/turned off.

I guess when I wrote this post, one of the deep questions I had, although I might not have expressed it explicitly, was about what it is that makes some people passionate about elections while others are not. Is it something within family? Example might be passing on particular values/traditions that you agree with, or maybe end up disagreeing with so much that you get involved on the other side. Or is it being pushed by some event?

And in the case of no interest, has it always been that way? Is part of the reason the sense that none of it matters any way?

QM, first of all I would like to say I am looking forward to the photo from Jim! Thanks YB!!!!!
Secondly, to answer your question about John Murtha, he is currently a U.S. Congressman representing the 12th District of PA. (Western PA) Over the years he has been very devoted to the people of that District. He is a war hero & there are many links to him if you google search. Not long ago he came under fire for his views about the war in Iraq. I have & will always have great respect for him.
I looked for my buttons today, but was only able to locate one political one. It was one of my Dad’s buttons when he ran successfully for Township Supervisor in 1991. For years there were those who wanted him to run for an office as a County Commisioner. But he had run out of the stamina to do so.
YB, as far as avoiding discussions about politics, I proudly wear the “I voted” sticker they give us at or local polling place. If anyone asks who I voted for or to which party I belong to my favorite reply is “I belong to the “Let’s Party” party”
I am proud of the fact that I get out there & vote! D

I forget to mention in my last commets that I still have my Kerry/Edwards banner leaning against a wall in our garage! It is actually banner #2. The first one I staked into the ground at the bottom of our driveway was stolen the first night it was driven into the ground. Because our home is not visible from our road, the second banner was staked at a visible sight yet planted more firmly! D

You know, I”m looking at Edwards more and more. He’s an interesting candidate, because though he’s running as a liberal democrat, he’s an affluent white man running as a liberal democrat against two unprecedented presidential candidates: A very viable woman president, and a very viable minority president.

Wouldn’t that be a weird position to be in? On the surface, I mean… as a liberal even though I champion allowing equal opportunity for all people regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, etc.-when that feeling champions a rich, white man over a black president or a woman, I mean…

lol, I’d probably feel like a traitor voting for the white guy!

Does anyone else feel that way? But the truth is, Edwards is actually an effective politician, and those groups that have worked with him closely are singing his praises. He’d probably be a really good president.

amuirin, I actually like Edwards. I gave Mom the book Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives last year before we went Down South. It has photographs and different people’s recollections of their childhood homes. A great book.

What I like about him is he seems genuine, honest. And Edwards is the one candidate who is dedicated to ending poverty, which really catches my attention. He wrote another book called Ending Poverty in America: How to Restore the American Dream. I haven’t read it. I like him but I’m just not sure he can win. He seems very solid.

YB, You are brave to even bring up politics; I applaud you for “putting yourself out there,” & have a couple of questions. 1. How did your sister happen to become a Republican? Husband’s influence? 2. I had been meaning to ask you, even before this post, your opinion of Richardson…was he a good governor? Your choice for him as Veep leads me to think you are only lukewarm re: his qualifications. I always think the #2 position is just as important, because you never know when a Veep might be thrust into Presidency; after all, that’s how we got LBJ! (shudder!have you ever read about his early political career? Horrendous!)
To lighten the mood here, I’m now going to make you jealous…buttons are ok, but I have a Spiro Agnew watch!! Can’t remember why I bought it, I know it was originally a joke. but after he was put to shame, it gained in curiosity value.

In case anyone cares, Saturday, the Wyoming Republicans got together to pick who they will support at their Nat’l. Convention, and Romney won. Background info…WY is not only bright red, but very heavily populated with those of the Mormon faith. When Buffalo Bill was campaigning for farmers to come to the state and grow crops on this high desert country that was to be irrigated by the dam he convinced the U.S. Gov, to build, he turned to Salt Lake to ask the LDS Church to recruit. It worked.

I read Gloria Steinam’s piece…boy does she ever get it right! BTW, I have gotten much more radical as I’ve aged. I grew up with dyed-in-the-wool Republican parents, and now my sister thinks I am a “bleeding heart liberal.” (Of course, she only watches Fox News and believes whatever Rush Limbaugh spouts.) Sigh!

amuirin, I know what you mean, though. I’ve wondered to myself, what if in this unprecedented time for Democrats, where we have a woman, a Black man, a Latino man, and a white man, it ends up being the white man who gets the nomination? I mean, that would be pretty much par for the course.

Now, having said that, I think Edwards is a decent guy and a great candidate. He is wealthy today yet he comes from working class roots. He is truly eschewing the corporate money and influence, and he’s the only one who’s *really* doing that.

But I have had that same thought as you re: what else does it mean if he wins the nomination? Wouldn’t that just be how life is?

Where to start on responding to your comment, Marylin? First, the watch. COOL! I love specialty watches (don’t anyone start a collection for me, though). I bet it is valuable given Agnew’s legacy! (I had a Woody Woodpecker watch as a kid, where the little Woody moved back and forth in time with the seconds.)

Re: Richardson. He is OK. What bothers me about him is that he doesn’t take a stand. He seems afraid to stir controversy. This, btw, is exactly what has bothered me about Hillary. And I think this is the essence of what has been characterized as “experience” versus “change.” The status quo among politicians is to say what people want to hear versus to say what the candidate believes in, TRULY believes in and is going to fight for. Richardson is too schooled in the way of Washington, I think. Doesn’t mean he can’t act decisively once he gets there, but if he can’t take a risk, show his courage now while he’s running, then I’m not inspired by him as much as I am by the one who IS willing to put it on the line.

Re: my Republican sis. I don’t know how that happened, to tell the truth. She’s the only one in the family among the five siblings. She’s the oldest. Maybe she just didn’t experience my parents’ fire and vim so much, given that they seemed to get more activist the older they got.

BTW, I’m watching the New Hampshire results on MSNBC, and Hard Chris (what’s his full name?) is talking about a Clinton/Obama ticket (with Obama as veep). Silly me. I hadn’t even thought of that option. Hmmmm….

D,
Good for you! I’m also a dedicated voter, and passed that on to my kids, all of whom have also voted in every election!! For years, I belonged to the League of Women Voters. We sponsored and participated in debates of local politicians and/or issues on the ballot. We made sure people had issues explained in “layman’s language” (versus “legalese”) and we went to 12th grade Civics classes with portable voting booths, walking the kids through the voting process, so that they would be comfortable in their first voting experience.
Guess I’d call myself Independant, now. I voted for Nader in 2000 and Kerry in 2004. What frustrates me about our system now is the Electoral College. Doesn’t matter how I vote in the General Election, WY will be counted as Republican :^(
YB,
Maybe Richardson is being honest, knowing that campaign promises can’t count for much, even if you are sincere, because in DC, the game is negotiation and compromise.

I am also watching the results from the New Hampshire primary. As I looked for my political buttons today, I remembered that one in particular I kept if for nothing else was a Mondale/Ferraro button. It was the year 1984 & he ran against Ronald Reagan. QM, he was from Minnesota. He chose Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. They lost the election & he only won electorial votes in his home state (by less than 3,800 votes). He also won the District of Columbia. Reagan won by a landslide.
BTW, I spoke with my Dad tonight & was surprised to hear that he is leaning toward a Replublican candidate. I will not mention which one. I also will vote from my heart when it comes down to the final election process. D

Marylin, I suppose you were typing your last comment at the same time that I was. That is why I have become to feel to feel as though I have known you all of my life. You are a person who brings out the best of all of the people that I admire. Same for YB & QM. I am so glad that we have been able to connect.The Spiro Agnew watch gave me quite a chuckle! Anyhow, it is time for me to sign off. Always…D

Being a Canadian I don’t get to vote in November but I just have to say that this is the first time in my lifetime one party in the US has so many exciting choices! In a rational world Obama, Hillary, and Edwards would actually be running for the Presidency as they make everyone else seem so irrelevant, and the Republicans are going to have to run someone who will have to praise the Bush era somehow, uh, oops, no, they would run a smear campaign on their mothers if it would help them win, lol. ok, I said it – and it feels goooooood! lol

LOL. Oh, good dialogue in this post. I’m getting ready to sign off, too. I’ve got to say, I do believe Hillary was definitely listening – and, as she so eloquently said, she found her voice in New Hampshire. I’ve never seen a person look as happy as she did tonight. And have as much shine in her eyes. Finally, we are seeing her true spirit.

It’s going to be an exciting year in American politics. I’m not counting anyone out yet. I was also drawn to Edwards concession speech as well. He’s talking about poverty and healthcare, two issues that matter to me. Onward we go.

OK, so I said I would be signing off. I did, however I was so intrigued by this post that I had to sign back on. I was delighted to see the comments from neath. I think often about how other countries view the USA. It concerns me deeply. I am not so much concerned about myself, but our children & grandchildren. I sat here tonight remembering 9/11 & how I held our infant grandson Brant in my arms. I was grateful that he was too young to know what was happening. My own family was only a few miles from where Flight 93 went down. It was a day of Hell for me. I tried for hours to reach my family members by phone. My fellow co-workers also tried with me. I finally was able to connect with my Mother. What a relief!
Amelia & I took a road trip to my parents for a week-end shortly after those events. My parents drove us to the Flight 93 Memorial. I was overcome with emotions.
I think most people who know me would consider me to be an extrovert. Although I am a mixture of both. (must be the Gemini in me!)
QM, I agree that poverty & healthcare are also 2 of my great concerns. I also like Edwards for many of the same reasons.
I guess what has really to come to light for me is that I feel as though I was not put on this earth to judge others. I don’t care about things as the color of a person, their political preference, their sex or sexual preference, or anything else for that matter. I was not raised that way.
OK, enough from me Goodnight to all! D

It was an exciting night last night. I was riveted to the screen. I felt energized by the excitement. This is going to be fun. I felt we have such options, such enthusiasm. I hope it continues.

Also thinking that I hope I don’t become consumed by this. The things with what consumes us — we often lose our ability to control it. I don’t have the energy to do what I did in ’04 — physically, emotionally, financially. I need to be a cool cat this year round.

Hillary was effective. Obama moved me to tears. Edwards — it ain’t over ’til it’s over.

Yeah, I was thinking this morning, I need to find out the dates of our caucus in Minnesota. When Liz and I stopped at the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts booth after Frida, they were talking to us about going to the caucus. I’ve never done that before. It seems like an experience I might want to have at least once in my life. I’m going to think about it.

Regarding your assessment of New Hampshire, I’d reverse Hillary and Obama. It was Hillary that moved me to tears. I thought Obama was effective. There is something about him. I can’t put my finger on it. He is indeed very hopeful. But he seems naive to me about what he’s going to be able to accomplish. Maybe it’s my age, but I need some solid experience.

It’s interesting the different things, histories, styles, that move each of us as humans. Democracy, for all its flaws is an amazing process. I’m very excited for the Democratic race this year. It’s kind of going on in the background.

I just realized I never answered your questions about the documentaries. I see many documentaries on PBS (public television), in fact, probably most that I watch. Some are on the History Channel which I think everyone gets if they have anything other than basic cable. Lastly, our satellite package has a Documentary Channel with many independent filmmakers doing their own documentaries. So those are the 3 places I see documentaries.

Liz and I are both big movie buffs, including independent films and documentaries. The more I can learn, the better. What I like about PBS and the Independent filmmakers is that they present a balance to the history that we might have learned in school. History is only as good or accurate as the people writing it. And who they are. So I like to see lots of different takes on controversial issues.

Yeah, it could be age. I identify more with Gen X than Baby Boomers, although I’m technically on the cusp. I’m also an idealist and am inspired by Barak’s idealism. I find him to be charismatic in the way certain leaders can be. But again, I am thrilled by the entire slate and potential of each of them.

We don’t have cable or satellite — although we recently got a new TV, and I can just see Jim wanting something more than network TV (the stuff you don’t pay for). Maybe I should talk to you abou the best package, since I seem to like the types of programming you just described.

neath, it must be fascinating to be viewing all this stuff about American politics through the eyes of a Canadian. I know we’ve got a few other Canadian readers, too, bloggers and non-bloggers. I’d love to know what they think of all this. I hope you keep weighing in!

ybonesy, yes, we’ll have to check in on the cable vs. satellite info. Liz is a better one to know about all that than me. She is the best comparison shopper. There may be advantages to both. And then there’s the whole “TV’s rolling over to HD” next year. Crazy.

I used to have cable and had the package slightly better than basic. I used to have the best package but I never watched TV enough. I’m not much of a channel flipper. I more go to channels I like to watch. So I shop my packages by Channel. I think Liz does that, too. I’ll have to ask her which satellite package we have. We get some HBO to watch movies. But, as I mentioned, don’t have Animal Planet. 😦

I like to keep on top of popular culture though. TV’s good for that. And, you know, even if PBS is all you have, you can take in some good documentaries and history.

Yeah, I’m a solid Baby Boomer. But I’ve got many Gen-X friends. I like the mix. I guess I’m not an idealist. But I do have a pretty positive spin on what I think it’s possible to accomplish. I don’t know what that makes me. I’m not a pragmatist either. I’ll have to think about it more.

YB, I know you intended this post to not be contoversial. My deep apologies if I went too far with it. This will be my final comment on this paricular post. I did forget to metion that when I spoke with my Dad last night, that he also still has his Mondale/Ferraro button. That does not mean that we were supporters. We kept them if for no other reason historical purposes. He also told me that a few years ago he donated the vast majority of his political buttons to the Democratic Comittee in his county to be auctioned off at a fundraiser. He could not remember the monetary amount that they brought in, but did say they sparked a lot of interest.
On a lighter side of this comment I would like to add that J had issues sleeping last night & finally rolled out of bed. He came downstairs, flipped on the TV & while flipping through channels came across the tale end of a documentary on Geraldine Ferraro! How wierd is that? D

diddy, please don’t feel you have to apologize for commenting! We welcome all comments and love your participation. Dialogue in the comments is part of what makes this all worthwhile for us – to know that people are reading and stirred by the writing and art.

I hadn’t had a chance to comment on your Mondale/Ferraro button that you mentioned last night. I was a huge Ferraro fan back then. I thought she had a lot of guts to get out there like that. I had a lot of respect for Mondale, too. He is a Minnesota icon and is regarded very highly here.

Especially after he stepped up to be on the ballot after Paul Wellstone’s plane went down. Mondale’s daughter Eleanor is amazing, too. She’s battling brain cancer and has been very public in talking about it.

Wellstone was a huge loss for us. If he was running today, I’d be right there. He had fire. And stood behind his word. There’s a great documentary on him that we saw at the Minnesota History Center. I bet the Ferraro documentary was great, too. I’d love to see that.

It’s interesting about your dad donating all his political buttons. More great history to benefit from.

Ditto diddy (smile). If this is controversial, then I’ve been under-rating my enjoyment of controversy 8) . Really, though, the comments in this post have been what I hoped for. Just a good conversation about how politics affect our personal lives.

Politics happen. They happen in a big way starting this time of year. We’re are being innundated with news, spin, opinion, analysis, etc., and that’s going to continue all this year. So I wrote this post almost as a warning to say, hey, with all this happening as a major current event, I’m going to write about politics every now and then. And you might as well know my position about my position. That’s all. It’s been a delight to hear from other folks who are political and somewhat political.

About Hillary Clinton’s crying bout. I have “mixed emotions” on her public display of tears:

I do think that it does make her seem more human and not like an “ice queen” as the media makes her out to be.

However, public crying seems to invoke many different types of responses from people who are watching the cryer. Some want to help out and make the pain go away or maybe save her. Others look away not wanting to look, not wanting to acknowledge the pain. It brings discomfort and even avoidance. In either case, it seems that for some time after, people primarily remember that about a person which I think affects relationships.

I know these responses because, in the last 1 1/2 plus years I have had so many (too many) life changes and challenges that sometimes I can’t help but tear-up (no matter where I’m at – even at work!!) It is very irksome to me because I feel that I have lost control of myself and am therefore making myself very vulnerable; I am portraying myself as professional and it is very embarrasing. I usually sneak off to a bathroom stall and take five minutes to pull myself together (saving myself.) Talking from experience, work is not the place to cry. It is a place where one should hold herself together. It is a place where “personal” should be on the back burner (kind of like politics.)

The same should especially apply to our president. She should not look like she has lost control and needs saving. Although she’s probably strong enough to handle an occasional publilc crying bout, I do hope it’s not habitual – I don’t think it will be.

Hey Neecy, good to hear from you. I can relate to what you’re saying. I remember sitting in the zendo during our silent retreats, someone reading something that brought them to tears, and how suddenly it was now with each one of us to sit with that emotion. Some of us became uncomfortable, wanted to reach out. Some stayed silent. It brought home how much watching someone else’s pain places on each one of us, the observer, the burden to do something with our own response.

Also, I work in a world that is largely male dominated. A few years back, in about 2000, I was going through a lot of personal stuff. And then work got tough. I cried in front of my bosses, totally lost control, yelled, etc., and in front of others. It took time to recover my credibility. At the time I wrote it off to being a passionate Latina. I am human, I can’t suppress my humanity. True, but they looked at me differently. For better or for worse, they saw me differently after that.

I think that moment for Hillary has broken wide open the gender questions. Is it OK to show that vulnerability? What does it mean if a woman does, if a man does, if a leader does? I don’t have the answers. Every person will respond to it differently. I’m glad you brought up both the crying itself and the response of each person who observes it.

The thing of it is, too, is that someone like me, who does believe that we should be able to express a range of emotion, would not see you (or myself, or Hillary) as being weak or unprofessional. But man, lots of other folks don’t see it that way.

Anyhoo, the pundits are still having a heydey with the crying moment. Meanwhile, I’m having this whole theory over here about how Mitt Romney is the John Kerry of the Republican party. Remember how Kerry was kind of hard for the average person to relate to. No matter what your background was, you just couldn’t quite relate to him. Romney is kind of like that. He’s better looking than Kerry was, but he’s not got any sort of mass appeal. If you ask me.

OK, so I was a liar (Gemini) when I said I would make no more comments. I agree with neecy about not crying at work. For the most part I worked my way up the ladder in the Transportation (long & short haul trucking). Trust me when I tell you that it was truly a man’s world! I was proud of my accomplishments & was in the indusry for over 25 years. My biggest rule of thumb was to never let them see me cry! This type of work can be very stressful! I did however break down about 10 years ago. I was a Fleet Manager & load Planner then. One of my best drivers & just all around great guy died of a massive heart attack overnight in his truck. He was only 36 years old & had 2 small children. Ths occured 2 weeks befor Christmas.
YB & QM, thanks for your kind words.
YB, I agree withe you about Romney. I can’t see a spark of personality in him. As for Hillary’s tears I found it to be heartfelt. I think she gets flack whether she acts like a man or a woman. D

Neecy, ybonesy, diddy, I really appreciate you all sharing about moments of vulnerability at work. It spurred me to remember my own and the subsequent time I took off to regroup and recover.

Neecy, I also appreciated your comments combining vulnerability at work and Hillary. Since politics *is* her work, it makes sense that that you’d make the connection. And I hadn’t really thought about the other side that you mentioned – about how when people show emotion – others feel that they have to take care of them.

ybonesy, you brought up the point of the zendo and how we all had to learn to sit quietly with whatever strong emotion was coming out in others’ writing or their tears. I ended up being on both sides of that last year. It was good to learn to just sit and honor their feelings that way. To not have to fix it. Or react. Or respond. Even though it was uncomfortable, it was so freeing.

After Hillary won New Hampshire, the network cut to four CNN reporters (3 men, 1 women). The woman was talking about how this was a defining moment for Hillary. The head (male) reporter said, “Why because she cried?”

And the female reporter was quick to recover and say, “No, because of Hillary’s 8 years of experience first and foremost….” But he kept bringing it back, reducing the whole election to one emotional moment. I was so irked by that.

All of these things came out in the writing practice this morning, along with how I’ve been thinking a lot about the body differences between men and women (and hormones).

It’s good to have stimulating conversation around issues that matter. At the core level, we’re all people. And don’t want to be defined by our differences. Nor the way we are the same. At least for me, I want to be judged by the entirety of the way I’ve lived my life. Not one sound bite or defining moment.

Okay, I just watched a little of the debates in South Carolina. I’ve got to say, Edwards came out pretty well. I’m tired of all the bickering with the other two. And I do mean both of them. Let’s get on with the more important issues. Just making a mental note. Seemed like a good place to drop a bookmark.

I am still open to opinion at this this point. I watch the debates also. I like Edwards too, always have. I am just watching & waiting for my chance to cast my vote. I want it to be a vote that I can at least say that I did not base on on anything but my own research & opinion. I do not let other’s opinion have any influence over my own. Who knows, J & I might not even agree on the issues & cast opposite votes. We do not discuss it afterwards. D

I just got home from a rally in St. Paul; John Edwards was here campaigning on one of the coldest nights of the year–10 degrees below zero and dropping fast.

It was amazing, absolutely amazing. By some stroke of serendipity, I ended up being one of the people who got to be on the platform. Not only did I shake John’s hand, but was no more than a few feet away from him during his 30 minute speech on poverty, universal health care, ending all torture, getting out of Iraq. The crowd was wild for him, breaking out in constant cheering and support. There were film crews there from all the national networks, all of us squeezed into the Carpenter’s Union Hall.

I feel proud to be an American tonight. I sometimes despair we’ve been lulled to sleep. I’m not worried tonight. It felt fabulous to take an interest and show up. Show up for something that really matters.

Teri, I wondered if you went tonight. It is bitter cold out with the wind chills. Good for you for showing up! Al Franken was at a coffee shop last Friday and Liz and I decided it was just too darned cold. So I’m impressed that you headed out.

AND you got to shake his hand. I wish I could have heard his speech. I am liking him more and more. He’s just talking so much about the things that matter to me. And I believe him.

I agree with you, I’m excited for the democratic processes that are happening in America this season. There is fire and passion and so many good choices on the Democrat side.

To be honest, if any one of the three candidates was elected, I’d probably have no problem with any of them. At least, that’s the way I feel today. I am keeping an open mind up to the end. Thanks for coming back and posting.

Obama is going to be here on Saturday; I plan on going if it is in the evening. I have his book (Audacity of Hope) on hold at the library; I wonder if any redRaviners have read it. Though I have my mind made up about who will get my vote next Tuesday, I want to hear and see as many candidates as I can.

I unexpectedly ended up seeing a woman I know tonight, a really sharp woman in her early 70’s (she got a spot on the platform, too). As we were walking out she said, “I have chills. I never thought I would live to hear a politician say the things I heard tonight. What he said about patriotism, taking care of the poor, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution.”

It was true. Edward’s speech harkened back to the passion and conviction of King, Bobby, and JFK.

That does kind of give you the chills. Where’s Obama going to be speaking Saturday? I was listening to two women on MPR today, one a Democrat, one a Republican, and they were talking about how women are going to be the ones who make or break whoever gets elected. It was an interesting discussion.

There were areas that most women were mutally concerned about regardless of party, like healthcare and the war. And then there were divisions between women of certain age groups within the same party; I think the cut-off was 50 and over. Those over 50 had slightly different things they wanted in a candidate. Women were also tending to vote differently based on class differences.

Of course, these are just two women’s opinions (backed by a lot of polling). But, still, people vote according to the things that matter to them, and many times it has to do with their life experiences, and who they are, more than anything politically motivated.

I just read on my internet news that John Edwards is dropping out of the race. I had to keep re-reading it, having just seen him campaign last night. I feel a little brokenhearted. I still wonder as I type this if I have my facts straight.

The time and location of Obama’s appearance in Minneapolis has not been determined. They are projecting thousands to attend. If I am able to go, I will definitely report in about it.

I wonder, when you heard the two women interviewed on MPR, did you believe (from what they were saying) that women will make or break this election? It seems that is often the case, one segment of the population will be seen as the deciding group. Sometimes it is the African-American vote, sometimes the Vets, sometimes the ….

Did you guys see? Edwards just dropped out of the race. Teri, it’s great you got to see him and be on the platform. How cool is that? I know it’s probably not what any strong Edwards supporter would want to hear, but I sure think he still would be a great VP candidate, especially keeping in mind that he could parlay that into a presidential run (again).

We must have been typing our comments at the same time, Teri. It is pretty stunning news. I guess I figured he’d wait until after Tuesday to make any such decision. Perhaps he felt that his portion of the vote would make a big difference to the remaining two candidates on Tuesday.

QM, You made a comment that you would be happy with any of the 3 major candidates (Democratic) & I too agree with you. I think the age of the voter is very significant indeed. How wonderful for Teri to be able to be up on the platform & shake hands with Edwards! This election year is quite interesting & look how things are on the Republican side as well! Next Tuesday should prove to be quite a day & I can’t wait!
I would really enjoy hearing Obama’s speach! He seems so charismatic & articulate when I see him on TV. I wish I had the opportunity to attend such events!
My Dad shared with me that his own father always voted & his mother never did. He also told me that he never knew that his father was a registered Democrat until he (my Dad) was an adult. It was something my grandfather never talked about. D

Well, I heard the news about Edwards on the way to work this morning and I couldn’t believe my ears. It makes me think he’s got something else in the wings (as you suggest, maybe a VP offer?). I don’t know. It seems odd to drop out right before 22 states have their primaries. I’m still processing the news. I guess more will be revealed today.

Teri, to answer your question about women being the deciding vote, I have the same skepticism you do any time someone says that. The thing about women is they do make up 51 or 52% of the population. But then you have all those other break downs in age, class, etc. So who knows!

diddy, I do think we are lucky to live close to where the candidates might come to speak. And near a major metro area. Hey, how come your grandmother never voted? It makes you wonder since our ancestors fought so hard for women to be able to vote!

I know when I was growing up, my parents never talked about who they were voting for either. It was seen as something private. I think it’s still that way, even between friends and couples. It’s hard to make a sound decision if we don’t have time to sit with things ourselves, hold them internally. I know Liz and I haven’t talked much among ourselves about who we are going to vote for. But we do discuss everything that’s going on around it!

I probably would take my daughters to see Obama, Teri. They’re both completely engaged in what’s going on. Em the other day said something to effect of, I hope Clinton or Obama win — it would be really something to have a woman or a Black man as president. She said it so matter-of-fact. Everyone is talking about the elections at her school — her teacher, other students.

At Dee’s school, there is a mock election taking place on Tuesday. For weeks, one student has been assigned to each candidate, and campaign teams have been organized around those candidates. There have been bake sales, signs, rallies, and all manner of campaigning as if these students were the candidates. Then on Tuesday the rest of the students get to vote.

During the months leading to the 2004 presidential elections, I went to see Bill Clinton (who was campaigning for Kerry/Edwards) and Kerry/Edwards. I didn’t take my girls. One of the speeches, Clinton’s, was very late at night. He flew in at about 11p, and we’d been waiting in the airport hangar since about 9 or maybe even 8. The girls just wouldn’t have had the patience.

It sounds exciting (somehow) to all be waiting at an airport hangar to see a candidate. Maybe it’s the word ‘hanger.’ It’s one of those words I never get to use, maybe that’s part of the appeal. Was it worth the long wait?

I wonder when Edwards will reveal who he is going to support. Typically I don’t care who others throw their support behind, but in this case, I would listen. And, will he do it before or after Super Tuesday?

I took the sticker I got last night off my jacket–the one that says John Edwards ’08. It left a rectangular residue behind.

I just watched Edwards give his speech from New Orleans. He said the people he saw yesterday in Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Michigan almost changed his mind. Big sigh. I have to wonder if he had decided even before I heard him in St. Paul. The introvert in me is amazed that anyone would put themselves unnecessarily in front of thousands of people. Then again, not everyone is an introvert. Then again, his speech about what to strive for as Americans was worth being heard even if he wasn’t going to stay in the race.

My eggs were all in one basket. And now, as QM said recently, an open mind is in order.

BTW, your comment about the hangar made me laugh. You’re right, it’s not a word the non-aviator types get to use often.

It was worth the wait. Oh, I remember now. I saw Clinton right after his heart surgery. That was back in ’04, I think, at the Hispanic Cultural Center. Then it was great seeing him. The hangar thing was two years later, must have been stumping for the Dems in NM. Gosh, I had a lot more energy for politics then than I do now. I wonder what changed. I know. It’s heart-breaking to work so hard and still lose.

yb, where did you read the transcript? I’d like to read it. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit with the words, rather than see a face or hear all the crowds. Wait, now, who is the introvert? Edwards? I’m a little behind. Need to catch up here. 8)

QM I’m sitting here trying to remember about not talking about politics. I guess when you were home you didn’t hear us discussing it. We were both very active in politics. I worked on the Dem. committee and helped with mailings, phone calls etc. T was very active through the union. T ran for office as township supervisor and I ran for office on the WS school board. We were active in PTA, auxillaries, Women’s club and I can’t remember what all , at one time or the other.You were away from home for so many years, I guess a lot of our activity was after you were gone.

When I was young you voted your party because back then you knew what a candidate stood for by which party they belonged to . Now adays you have to really study each candidate to make sure they are interested in what you are. It is much more complicated.

Another interesting tidbit: I had three children before I could vote. LIving in Ga. ,S.C., Tenn., and Pa. , I would be of age in one state but not in another, so I would have to establish residence each time I moved. I think they are all 18yrs. now. I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Carter when Pres. Carter was running. I think I have a picture of us together , I just gave T his that I found recently.

Mom, I had no idea you had a photo with Rosalynn Carter. I don’t remember that at all for some reason. It’s interesting about not being able to vote after moving from state to state. I’d never thought of it. I’d love to see the photo sometime.

I do remember you running for PTA and being heavily involved in Union politics. I also remember you running for school board. And I remember how important those things were to you. Maybe it was me that wasn’t interested in politics back then. 8) I probably have selective memory.

I did leave home first and left a lot of years behind when the rest of the family was around but I wasn’t. I don’t remember you ever talking about the national elections or who you voted for. Or ever trying to sway us to vote one way or another. But the local politics, yes, I remember. They were big in our home.

I remember in June when we were going through Uncle B.’s photos and there was a newspaper clipping of you as President of the PTA in the 60’s. That was an amazing photo. I like that photograph of you.

yb, thanks for the link. I read the Edwards speech first, then went over to his blog and listened to him give it. He seemed to stumble a bit, seemed sad and tired. I can’t blame him. Hard to imagine pouring your whole self into something that much, and then realizing you need to give up on that dream. There is something kind of sad about it. But I did feel the hope – no matter what, we’re probably going to make history here. I’m still hopeful. And open.

Mom, something else you said struck me – about how we used to know what a candidate stood for. And it’s harder today. I was just listening to NPR on the way home and they were talking about how Edwards couldn’t get as much ground as he wanted because the issues these days matter less to people than the personalities of the candidates.

I don’t know if that’s true or not. But I am finding I do have to really study the backgrounds of each candidate more to know how they voted on issues that matter to me than I used to. I don’t think you can take anything in politics these days at face value.

It makes me a little ill that personality means more than where a candidate stands on issues. I’m afraid it’s one of the unfortunate by-products in living in a culture obsessed with the images of celebrities. Or how they make us feel.

Well, the change starts with me, right? This year, more than ever, I pledge to vote based on the issues that matter to me. That will require some digging and reading. Must do.

I just found out that Obama is going to be in the Twin Cities at 2 pm on Saturday, a time I cannot make. ybonesy, if you hear him in Albuquerque on Friday, I will look forward to what you hear and see.

BTW, I heard someone on the radio this evening on my way home from work talking about having braved the freezing cold last night to see Edwards speak. She took her kids to the event. It wasn’t clear where she was from, and I don’t know if he made it to more than one spot last night, but I thought of you, Teri. The radio caller was very sad, very disappointed. She was torn about who to support now. She liked both candidates for different reasons. She had a lot to think about and try to figure out now.

I got an email this morning from someone who told me about family members who are dyed-in-the-wool-loyal to one party. These people (for the first time, ever) are planning to cross party lines when they vote. Of the four (well, likely four) candidates who appear to still be in the race, these people are putting their past voting record aside to choose who is best for America.

That speaks volumes to me. That’s how different and important this election is.

Hooray! Those of us living in PA are less than 24 hours from the polls opening! We received a letter & card in the mail last week telling us that because of the interest in this election that for the primary only, our polling place has changed. The township we live in always had 2 places for voters to cast their vote. This year they have added a third! I suppose the nation as a whole will be looking in to see how our primary pans out! That excites me! My decision on a candidate was made certain about a month ago. I have no longer watched the speeches, or TV ads for that matter. The ads make no difference to me anyway. Should be an interesting day! D

diddy, I’ve been thinking a lot about you all in Pennsylvania over the last week. Glad they are preparing and adding polling places for you. I have not been tuning into it all for a while now; only snippets I see on TV or the news every now and then. I’ll be watching to see how PA pans out though, since much of my family lives there. Good luck to you all!

diddy, I heard on NPR this morning that you were expected to break records in PA. We’ll have it on in the background tonight. Let us know how it goes at the polls! Sending good energy to all of you there.

It’s good they opened up that extra polling place. Hopefully they learned by seeing some of these other state turnouts that it was going to be huge.

I still watch the goings-on regarding the primaries. It’s stressful and sometimes I get tweaked by what I see, but at the same time, it’s fascinating to me and I’m really drawn to it all. It has all the elements of a great movie — drama, emotion, unknown outcome. And then the fact that it’s all real and not a movie — well, that makes the stakes all that much higher.

Done! J & I went to the polls between 1:30 & 2:00. Finally! The timing was perfect! It feels so good to have it over with after waiting so long. Time will tell who we will get the opportunity to vote for in November. I have a feeling it may get decided at the convention. The way our news explained the delegate system used in PA, neither candidate stands a chance of gaining much if it is a close race. Wait & see, I guess! D

diddy, I bet it’s a relief for you and J. to finally cast your votes. It will be interesting tonight to see how it comes out. I remember how excited we were in Minnesota, watching the returns come in. I bet you’ll be glued to the TV tonight. Hey, was Punxsutawney Phil ( LINK) on the Pennsylvania ballot? Or did he drop out when he got so far behind? 8)

Poor Phil. I guess Jake has it. Yeah, I didn’t end up watching the results last night. But tuned in before bed to see the outcome. I’ve stopped watching all the spin after the primaries. It’s too biased for me, especially all of the news media. I’m kind of watching from the big picture arena. Not much about the details.

Thanks for checking in from Pennsylvania, diddy. Who’s next? Indiana and, is it Montana? Ah, I miss those Montana mountains. It’s going to be interesting.